Academic advisor: Dr. Valerie Isaack
E-mail
As geopolitical tensions and multifaceted security threats transcend the borders of our interconnected and constantly evolving global environment, national security is key to the resilience of nations. UHaifa International Master's program in National Security offers vital interdisciplinary knowledge and skills for addressing complex security issues and shaping a safer, more resilient world.
For decades, the State of Israel has been addressing complex national security challenges. Designed in partnership with Israel's globally renowned National Security College, the International Master's program in National Security introduces students to pressing, complex, real-time national security dilemmas, conflicts, and processes in Israel and other regions. The program is ideal for students pursuing a career in governmental, security, and private organizations, who wish to explore and address strategic social, political, ethical, diplomatic, economic, and military dimensions of national security.
Program Highlights
Developed in collaboration with Israel’s National Security College, IDF's highest course of study and the world's leading educational institution for military, intelligence, and government executives from Europe, America, and Asia, our program offers:
- Theoretical knowledge alongside practical tools and skills to address complex national security challenges and processes, in both private and public sectors
- Fascinating case studies on national security errors, learning curves and achievements which portray Israel's unique role in the Middle East.
- Selected students will participate in advanced research at the University of Haifa's National Security Studies Center
One Year, One Degree
Our one-year international Master's program is taught in English over three consecutive semesters from October through September. Graduates will be awarded a Master of Arts in Political Science, alongside a certificate of specialization in National Security Studies.
Students who wish to pursue the thesis track must achieve no less than a 90% average after their first semester. Requests will be considered individually, depending on the student's achievements, ability to secure a supervisor, and other factors. The thesis will be submitted within one year of coursework completion, which may require a prolonged stay at the university.
Admissions Requirements:
- A minimum of 3.0 GPA, 80% (B) (Israeli system) or equivalent in all undergraduate classes
- Mastery of the English Language
Contact us:
Program Coordinator: Noa Avraham
e-mail
Curriculum & Credits:
The International Master's degree program in National Security consists of a total of 36 credits, including a final project, two seminars and the following mandatory courses:
- Approaches to Political Science
- The National Security of Israel
- Strategic national decision making in the Middle East
- Management of geopolitical risks and opportunities in a global world
National Security: The Practitioners' Perspective - Intelligence and National Security
- The Evolution of War : The information and Cyber Age
* The curriculum is subject to change without notice
Academic Leadership
Dr. Valerie Isaak
Dr. Valerie Isaak is an academic researcher, senior organizational consultant and head of the Master's Programs Division at the University of Haifa School of Political Science. She holds a Bachelor's degree in political science, sociology, and anthropology, a Master's in political science specializing in internal and public auditing, and a PhD in political science, where she researched the field of Organizational Excellence.
An expert in the fields of work teams and organizational effectiveness, she provides professional consulting to government organizations, including the Israeli Ministry of Defense and various Medical Centers.
Throughout her professional career, Dr. Isaak has worked with the Council for Higher Education in a diverse range of community projects. Among them, she led the 'Age-Friendly City Project', a community project in accordance with the World Health Organization model.
Dr. Isaak has received several grants from The Gartner Institute for Health Policy Research and has been awarded an excellent lecturer recognition by the University of Haifa.
Dr. Dan Schueftan
Dr. Dan Schueftan is the Director of the National Security Studies Center at the University of Haifa, a Senior Lecturer at the School of Political Sciences, and at the Israel Defense Forces National Defense College. Formerly he served as a Visiting Professor at the Department of Government, Georgetown University in Washington DC.
For the past four decades he has been a consultant to Israeli decision makers and to the top echelon of Israel's national security establishment as well as briefing senior political leaders and officials in the United States and Europe.
Dr. Schueftan has published extensively on contemporary Middle Eastern history, with emphasis on Arab-Israeli relations, Inter-Arab politics and American policy in the Middle East. His books cover a wide variety of topics: A Jordanian Option - Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians (1986); Attrition: Egypt's Post War Political Strategy 1967-1970 (1989); Disengagement - Israel and the Palestinian Entity (1999) and Palestinians in Israel - the Arab Minority and the Jewish State (2011).
Application Documents:
- Official transcript of BA degree and copy of undergraduate diploma that includes the date and degree type awarded
- Personal Statement (Motivational Letter) -approximately 500 words
- Curriculum Vitae/Resumé
- Medical forms
Scholarship Options:
As a diverse University committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), we're passionate of doing everything in our power to promote affordable, equal-opportunity, quality higher education, by offering versatile scholarships and funding options. We encourage you to read about these options, choose what suits you best and let us know how we can further help you in this important matter.
Please note that you can apply for a scholarship only after applying to the program.
{לשים כאן קישור לאתר ביה"ס הבינלאומי – מידע על מלגות.}
Thesis writing options:
The National Security program is a non-thesis program. Students who wish to pursue the thesis track must achieve no less than a 90% average after their first semester. Requests will be considered individually, depending on the student's achievements, ability to secure a supervisor, and other factors. The thesis will be submitted within one year of coursework completion, which may require a prolonged stay at the university.